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Everton: 5 possible replacements for Leighton Baines

By Parth Jhaveri

Everton's English defender Leighton Baines looks on during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Bournemouth at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on July 26, 2020. (Photo by Tim Goode / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by TIM GOODE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Everton's English defender Leighton Baines looks on during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Bournemouth at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on July 26, 2020. (Photo by Tim Goode / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by TIM GOODE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Everton
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 03: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on March 3, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

Marcos Alonso and Jamal Lewis from Chelsea and Norwich City are possible options.

1. Marcos Alonso

The Chelsea left back is likely to face the axe as Chelsea remains keen on signing Ben Chilwell. As per some reports, the Blues of Stamford Bridge are open to selling both their full backs Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri to generate funds for arrival of better players. Emerson is a wanted name in Italy but the future of Alonso remains uncertain.

The Spaniard was one of the first names on the team sheet during the reign of Antonio Conte. His fall began when Maurizio Sarri arrived and the 29 year old couldn’t fit in Sarri’s tactics. Under Lampard too, it has been a mixed bag of a season with him not getting a continuous run.

Everton may have a chance to sign him and even though he may not be the first choice in the left back, he can push Lucas Digne to perform better and provide cover for him. Perhaps, his set piece skills can benefit Everton massively. He is about to hit 30 and is not at his absolute best but is still good enough to act as a deputy.  With Chelsea willing to sell, Marcos Alonso is a pretty solid choice.

More. Everton may plan an Inter Milan double swoop in the transfer window. light

2. Jamal Lewis

The Norwich City full back impressed throughout the 2019-20 campaign even though his team failed to put up a show. The relegated side will have reconsider their finances and may have to bid adieu to many of their top performers like Todd Cantwell, Emiliano Buendia, Max Aarons and Jamal Lewis. Lewis will be an extremely cost efficient option for Everton.

Yes, there is the debate that Norwich were the worst defensive side in the league and conceding 70 goals doesn’t aid their cause, but Canaries’ tactics of high tempo football is what cost them because they left the door open in the defence on numerous times. This style of play earned them a promotion to the Top Flight but sadly it didn’t work out in the Premier League.

However, this doesn’t mean Lewis is a poor defender or not competent enough. At 22, he will prove to be an excellent understudy to Lucas Digne and serve the team when called up by Ancelotti, most likely during the Cup games. He is valued at £10 million but with Norwich going down to the Championship, Everton can get him for even less.

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